Helene, I have watched, with mild amusement, the banter back and forth regarding Dell and its products/support. To give you some background, I'm on my third Dell right now, an 8250, and what a beauty it is to be sure! You know what they say: third time's a charm, or maybe I'm thinking of the three strikes law in california........nevertheless, after my third Dell, I have decided firmly never to purchase another Dell computer ever again, and I'm sure I'm not alone. The first one wasnt bad, in fact I liked it, an XPTS550, but the second one, a 4100, had all the speed and reliability of an Edsel on a bad day..
Then, after having several problems with this newest computer I unfortunately had to go online and then speak to several different "Techs" on the phone. I quickly came to the conclusion that the technical support department at Dell is being run entirely by the three idiots you see on their tv ads, cruising around America in a Winnebago showing you how wonderful the tech support is. Incorrect shipments, items not shipped at all, hardware and software problems, I've had'em all. And I consider myself to be somewhat technically adept. I really feel for someone has to rely soley on Dell to fix a problem for them. Something that really irritates me about them is the proprietory nature of their product and the problems it can cause if upgrading for any reason. As a result I'm about to build my own computer now, I like the look of the latest motherboards by Gigabyte and Asus, and so, as I tinker away, there will be a permanent smile on my face knowing I wont ever again have to wait endlessly on the phone for ridiculous suggestions by underpaid, incomptetent, uncaring bozos that could give two ###'s whether the computer gives you a facelift as it goes up in a ball of flame or not, culminating finally with being blown off in a manner that rivals that of a bunch of Enron CEO's at a stockholders meeting. You are fortunate to know of this forum where, at least, you will recieve some intelligent feedback and suggestions. Good Luck! (you'll need it) Glenn Larkman Audiotech 256 Nth Hwy 101 ENCINITAS CA 92024 760 944 9048 FAX 944 0345 mail to"[EMAIL PROTECTED]" "www.audiotech.net" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Helene Leavitt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 4:15 AM Subject: Re: PCWorks: Update on Dell.. Hi Peter, Rocky & Harold. I am a bit annoyed of course at Dell... to put it mildly.. but the problem arose.. and it wasn't entirely there fault.. Yes, they should've had the patch on the computer, for that nasty wor*.. but then again, I wonder how many other companies send their OS out with the patch already there. So, the wor*.. came out of the blue.. Yes, 10 minutes after I connected.. Granted.. LOL So that totally pis**** me off.. LOL But I'm more annoyed, at the incompetence of some of the techs.. The first tech, (not to re-hash all this).but the first tech. when I told her, what happened.. She wrongfully had me re-install XP.. That was mistake ONE, followed by Mistake.. TWO, THREE, FOUR.(shall I go on.. <smile>) I am actually loving the new computer.. Even with it not being fully operational. I have to say, I connect super quick..(still with Dial-up) but it's FAST..!!!!! Totally amazing. I conquered the "fear". of leaving my old Netscape.. and going with IE..(cause Earthlink Total Access- ONLY uses IE).. so I have even gotten used to that. and have to say, its' FAST.. and the mail program I'm using. is Outlook Express.. and I really like that too.. And I was a die-hard Netscape fan.. But NOW, I will admit, it was fear of leaving.. "my old".. and now that I have.. I do love my new browser, as well as my email program.. I remember back 5 years ago. when I had gotten my Gateway.. I had problems.. Got the computer, in Aug 5 years ago. and by this EXACT time. in Sept.. I had to re-install everything, with the help of a Gateway Tech Support .. The reason I remember this so clearly.. is it was my son-in-laws 25 bday.. and I had been on the phone with Gateway 2 FULL DAYS.. and I didnt' even want to go to his b-day party.. Now, he's turning 30. and today is his surprise party.. Kinda ironic.. that it happens that way.. that I get the computer, at the same timing.. (except for 5 years apart) and I have similar problems.. though this is due to the wor* that destroyed my system. Peter.. You mention businesss class and service. .I can't even IMAGINE.. what a business would be doing. I'm using my computer for pleasure. and I am pulling my hair out. I can't imagine a business having to deal with this nonsense with tech support.. when they need a computer to be fully operational.. right away. On another note. My daughters speakers werent' working(Dell) that she's had for 4 years...This was last year, about l month AFTER her contract with them expired.. Not only DID they send her new speakers.. N O CHARGE.. but they sent her such an incredible. speaker system.. She had the basic. and they sent her the BEST.. Mistake,, Yes. of course, and she was terrified that she'd get a bill.. but I made her call them ..and tell them.. This is what I had. and this is what YOU sent.. and they said, Well- they Upgraded it.. No problem.. No bill.. So, I can see they dont' want to be "bothered" with returns.. LOL... Actually, I even said to the tech (the higher up guy). that I have the SR cd's. what do I do with them now. and he said, Put them in a binder, FORGET ABOUT THEM. Rocky: Thanks for the info.. I saved it. as well as printed it out.. Harold:.. I agree.. I've learned,, thru this list. and by talking to alot of people. that nobody sends you the actual operating disc,, They send you the restore.. But now. what I have.. are the SR' cds. and from what I understand. if I'm understanding all this correctly.. If.-or should I say WHEN this happens again.. I can restore everything from these discs alot easier than to use all the discs that came with the computer. Also, Harold.. I know you're a Netscape user. and I can honestly say. It's HARD learning. .the new.. but if you're willing to take the risk,, (which I wasn't.. so I can totally understand if you're NOT). <smile>. But, that said, if you're thinking of switching. I do have to say. IE. is a nice program. and it's alot easier to learn, than I thought it would be.. There are still so many things I have to experiment with.. But I will learn. and leaving Netscape was hard.. Believe me.. But now.. I feel okay with it.. And I really do enjoy Outlook Express.. There are options there, that Netscape just doesn't offer.. Not only the fonts - which are incredible.. but you can add stationary.. it's just amazing. Just my 2 cents.. but wanted you to know. that if you've been reading the list alot. you can SEE that I struggled with getting rid of Netscape.. Even so much as downloading the latest browser of Earthlink(back a few weeks ago) ONLY - to find out it ONLY works with IE.. so what did I do.. I did a go-back, and got rid of it. THATS how frightened of IE I was.. Wasnt' willing to learn.. But I made up my mind.. when the new computer came in.. I was going to "go for the change". as the browser really was really the issue. being I wanted Total Access.. And from what I'm told. Earthlink is coming out with another updated browser.. which will be available sometime in Oct. and I'm going to download that. and be "current". So, basically. .I do LOVE my new computer, Its fast.(even for dial-up) and its' amazing. as far as the tower is the slim case. and fits right on my desktop.. alongside, my GREAT new 17" digital ultra sharp flat panal monitor.(G-d.. I love saying that.).<smile>.. This monitor is totally AWESOME.. When I think of my "old Gateway". and it's still around, and I still have to take stuff off of it.. (at moms right now). But anyway, when I think of that machine. I think "antique".. LOL.. Have a great day.. Here in NY. .the sun is shining. and we all missed the hurricane.. Except for a lot of winds.. HELENE ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
